Tape reel



Aug. 9.1927. 1,638,226

E. J. WlTC HGER TAPE REEL Filed March 18, 1925 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 9, 1927.

barren STATES 4 1,638,226 PATENT oFFrcE.

sue-nun J. wircnenaor sAernaw, irI'IoIiIenN, Ass eNon T0 LUEK N RULE 00., 0F

' SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, A coRronATIou or MICHIGAN. I

when REEL.

' Application filed March 18, 1925. Serial in. 16,317.

This invention relates to tape reels of the well known double-bearing drum type, characterized by a tape drum journaled at both ends, as distinguished from a drum journaled wholly in one side of the case.

More specifically my invention is an improved frictioning means that prevents undesirable spinning of the drum when the tape tends to back lash, yet does notinterfere with the normal operations of winding and unwinding.

My improved frictioning device has certain novel features, important from a standpoint of durability in use and noteworthy absence of shakin-ess in the drum mechanism, and as regards rapid and economical manufacture and assembling.

I take a double-bearing ta'pereel of usual construction and insert between the bottom wall of the case and the drum a suitable resilient member, as a spring or its equivalent. By being introduced at this location in the mechanism, the spring member causes the drum to function in a novel manner and enables me to attain the objects of my in vention.

The objects are,to provide a simple drum frictioning device adapted to be easily applied and renewed in existing types of double-bearing tape measures; to produce a device which, placed at the bottom part of the case will so operate asv to eliminate wear at the top drum flange and atthe top wall bushing. It also prevents end play of the drum. A further object is to enable friction faces of large area to be employed and to b'e so arranged as not to interferewith inserting the drum into the case. These results are secured by the addition of a single inexpensive element and without materially altering the construction of the drums now in common use.

With the foregoii'ig and certain other objccts in view which will appear later in the specifications, my invention comprises the devices herein described and claimed and the equivalentsthereof. V

Fig. 1 is a part sectional View of a tape measure embodying my improvement, a preferred form of frictioning device being shown diagrammatically. I

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating a modified form of s ring, the flange-screw and washer detachec.

Figs: and 4. are respectively a plan and side view of a spring of the kind indicated in Fig. 1. I I I V Fig. 5 is a plan view of the spring structure of Fig. 2, distorted as to thickness. I ,As is clearly shown in the drawings,

numeral 1 indicates the usual tape drum with its flange 2 and post 3. A bushing t in the top wall of the case serves as a journal bearing for the cylindrical shell of the drum when winding and unwinding.

A smaller bushing 5 inthe bottom wall of the case forms a journal bearing for the projecting end of the drum post 3. Drums so supported are designated as doublebearing.

A flange/or screw head 6 and renewable washer 7 are secured to the projecting end of post 3 to keep the drum in place My invention is particularly concerned with the above mentioned features of doublebearing drum tape measures. As heretofore made such tape measures generally had disadvantages, namely, a tendency to drum spinning when the tape was tensioned and then released; frictional wear between the flange 2 and the bushing 4; end play of the drum, causing shakiness.

Inspection of Figs. 1 and 2 shows that the amount of actual drum end play is determined by the distance between the inner faces of flange 2 and washer 7, compared with the distance between the outerv faces of bushings 4: and 5. Consequently, even though the case and mechanism be accurately constructed, rough usage such as denting the case may either increase or decrease the original end play and thereby either produce disagreeable rattling or else cause binding and consequent wear ofthe top bushing and the inner face of drum flange 2.

My present improvement overcomes the foregoing objections.

In its broader aspect the invention comprises an eXpansible or resilient member such as a spring, concealed within the case and positioned to exert a yielding or cushioning effect that normally urges the tape drum lengthwise away from the bottom wall of the case, as indicated at S, Fig. 1.

The top flange 2 of the drum is thereby kept normally separated from the outer face of bushings in the top wall, consequently wear that has heretofore occurred at that place is eliminated. I

The springlmay be of any suitable con band 11 is received in and fits the inner periphery of the drum 1. Spring legs 12 are carried by the band 11 and have friction faces that bear against the bottom wall of the case. The mode of operation is the same with both forms of s ring.

End play of drum 1 relative to the case is prevented by any suitable spring member action in location S, Fig. 1. because the spring holds the flange or screw head 6, at the projecting end of the drum post 3, snug;- ly against the outer face 5 of the bottom wall bushing. So arranged. there is no likelihood of binding even though the walls of the case become somewhat bent or dented after long use.

"When applied either to th-e'drnm 1 at its bottom end, as in Fig. 2, or to the drum post 3. as in Fig. 1, the spring member enables large friction faces to be used without extending the ends of the spring beyond the circle of the drum rim, as in earlier con structions.

My construction enables the drum and its associated working parts, including the spring to be installed in the reel case without special skill or manipulation. and about as quickly as is possible with tape measures of the usual double-bearing drum type, but lackin this improved frictioning device.

Special operations on the drum rim, such as slotting or perforating to accommodate a frictioning spring, are no longer necessary.

In winding and unwinding tape measures the drum revolves and the case does not. It is, therefore, obvious that any suitable resilient member operatively located to exertyielding thrust between the drum and the bottom wall ol the case, and adapted to accomplish the purpose of my improvementwith respect to frictioning and avoidance of wear etc, as set forth herein, may fall within the scope of my invention as claimed, whether the spring member is made to turn with the drum and rub on the bottom of the case or vice versa.

By applying the resilient compression member or spring to operate. against thebottom wall I have secured results that as far as I am aware have not heretofore been attained. back-lashing and end play is avoided, while wear on the drum flange is entirely prevented. The wear is taken by the renewable washer 7 and the frictioning surfaces of the spring, both of which are readily replaceable.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In prising tape drum tree to move lengthwise a limited a tape measure having a case comdistance and having a flange adjacent the exterior of said top wall, means to prevent the entlre removal of the drum, a resilient member located between the drum and said bottom wall, adapted to "force the flange away from the top vall. I

2. In a tape measure having a case comprising a bottom wall and a top wall, a drum-supporting bearing in each wall, a tape drum rotatably mounted in said bearings and free to move lengthwise a limited distance and having a flange adjacent the exterior of said top wall. means to prevent the entire removal of the drum, a resilient member, located between the drum and said bpttom wall. adapted to force the flange away from. the top wall.

3. In a tape measure of the type specified,

a bottom wall and a top walhrafl The drum is itrictioned against" having a top wall, a bottom wall, bearings in said walls. a. drum tree to move lengthwise a limited distance, rotatably mounted in sa d bearings and having a flange adja cent the exterior of said top wall. means to prevent the entire withdrawal of said drunr said means engaging the exterioro't the bot tom wall, a resilient member located between the drum andsaid bottom wall, for the purposes set forth.

l. In double-bearing tape measure including a bottom wall and a drum provided with a top flange and drum post ha ing ,a flange thereon engaging an outer Lt'ace of said bottom wall, a spring drunrtrictioning member operatively interposed between the bottom wall and the drum and adapted to urge the drum away from the bottom'wa l and to yieldingly hold said drum post flange in contact with the outer race ot said bottom wall. whereby to prevent wear oi'i'the top flange of the drum.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

EUGENE J. WITGHGER. 

